Investigators: Robber forces woman to drive to ATM

Deputy constables: Woman's granddaughter was in car during attack

A robber ambushed a grandmother and her young granddaughter in their driveway and forced them to drive to an ATM for money, investigators said.

The grandmother returned to her home in the 17200 block of Mitchell Pass Lane with her granddaughter around 1:30 p.m. on Aug 2.

Harris County Precinct 4 deputy constables said a man confronted the pair in the garage behind the grandmother's home.

Deputy constables said the robber, who wore a surgical mask, demanded money and threatened to hurt the pair if he didn't get what he wanted. Investigators said the robber made the woman get back into the car, and he jumped in, too, with the child still strapped in a car seat.

Investigators said the thief made the grandmother drive to a nearby Bank of America to get cash from the ATM.

Even after the withdrawal, the robber didn't leave, detectives said. Investigators said the robber made the woman drive back to her home, where he then took the money and ran from the car.

The grandmother and granddaughter were not injured, but the crime has neighbor Emanuel Dirocco worried about his wife and children. They just moved on to the block six months ago, but he's now wondering if it was a wise decision.

"My family's safety is a main concern all the time," Dirocco said. "That makes me a little uncomfortable, knowing that, especially since these houses have the back alley."

Dirocco said he and wife are now too afraid to pull into their driveway behind their home. Instead, they park on the street in front of their house.

Precinct 4 investigators dusted the grandmother's car for fingerprints and they plan to pull the surveillance video from the ATM.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

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